Prosecutions and Seizures

Southern Ontario Region

CBSA seizes tobacco valued at $1 million at the Peace Bridge

Fort Erie, Ontario, August 2, 2013 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that a large quantity of fine cut tobacco was seized at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie.

On July 30, 2013, a commercial driver entered Canada at the Peace Bridge with a shipment declared as corrugated boxes destined for a recycling plant in southern Ontario. The driver was referred for a secondary inspection where CBSA officers found that the shipment actually contained 132 boxes filled with 14,370 kg of fine cut tobacco with an approximate street value of $1 million.

This brings the total value of tobacco seizures in the Southern Ontario Region since January 1, 2013 to over $4.6 million.

This seizure is under investigation and may result in criminal charges.

“Contraband tobacco is a threat to the security and health of Canadians,” said David Berardi, Acting Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region. “Border services officers are vigilant when it comes to ensuring that our borders are not used for illegal activities. This significant tobacco seizure is another example of how our officers are keeping contraband tobacco out of our communities.”

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060. All calls are completely confidential.

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For media information

Southern Ontario Region Media Relations
905-354-5995 or 519-967-4330
CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

 

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